Pep Guardiola (54) has condemned his “fragile” Manchester City side after they capitulated late in a disheartening 5-1 defeat to title contenders Arsenal on Sunday.
Guardiola’s men suffered yet another disappointing result in a season that has been far from stellar, as Arsenal dominated proceedings at the Emirates Stadium.
City had momentarily equalised through Erling Haaland early in the second half, responding well to Martin Odegaard’s goal just two minutes into the match.
However, the defending champions quickly relinquished that regained momentum. Phil Foden’s misplaced pass was intercepted by Thomas Partey, whose shot deflected off John Stones into the net, handing Arsenal the lead again.
This moment sparked a catastrophic collapse for City, with Myles Lewis-Skelly, Kai Havertz, and Ethan Nwaneri exploiting the glaring vulnerabilities in their defence.
It was a staggering breakdown, even considering the numerous self-inflicted setbacks City has faced this season, where they currently sit in fourth place.
Guardiola appeared visibly frustrated throughout the match, acknowledging that his players are solely responsible for their failings.
“This has been the case all season; we are giving away too much, and we know this simply can’t continue,” he stated.
“Sadly, once again, after the second goal, we fell apart. You’ve got to stay composed; you can’t lose control.
“The way we finished the match was unacceptable. We had opportunities to score three more, but the team needs to show stability. Whatever has happened prior must not affect us.”
Alongside Foden’s ill-timed mistake, John Stones’ reckless pass to Manuel Akanji contributed heavily to Arsenal’s initial goal.
This reflected a City performance characterised by a blunt attack, a lethargic midfield, and a defence that was fundamentally flawed.
“We played well for an hour, but you must carry that through the entire match. You can’t think you can fix things on your own,” Guardiola remarked.
“We conceded the first goal through our own mistakes. If you’re discussing tactics—whether offensively or defensively—you have to execute it.
“In the final 20 minutes, we fell apart. I’ll address this with the players in hopes it won’t occur again. We must always maintain seriousness.”
‘I lack a defence’
With a crucial Champions League match against Real Madrid on the horizon, along with league encounters against Newcastle and Liverpool, Guardiola seems increasingly at a loss to address City’s struggles.
“I don’t have a defence to protect my players, or myself, of course,” he added.
“I hope we can take this lesson to heart moving forward. While we can be fragile, it’s our responsibility to improve. It’s a lesson for me as well.”
Having finished as runners-up to City in the Premier League for the past two seasons, Arsenal’s rivalry with City has intensified.
Haaland had previously warned Gunners boss Mikel Arteta to “stay humble” and threw the ball in Gabriel Magalhaes’ direction during a heated 2-2 draw earlier this season.
Gabriel responded by celebrating Odegaard’s opening goal right in front of Haaland, while Lewis-Skelly cheekily mocked the Norwegian striker by replicating his signature meditation goal celebration.
Addressing the Arsenal antics, Guardiola theatrically paused before responding with a simple, “that’s good,” as he exited the press room.
Arteta’s previously strong rapport with Guardiola has soured since their September encounter, yet he seemed unfazed by his players’ behaviour, stating: “I haven’t seen it. There’s nothing I wish to reveal about that.”
“The players understand my perspective on these matters. We need to focus on ourselves.”
Arteta had ample reason to relish the victory and its significance as the second-placed Gunners find themselves back within six points of league leaders Liverpool, signalling their intent to maintain pressure on Arne Slot’s side, who still have a game in hand.
“Perhaps I felt a little more satisfaction than usual,” Arteta commented.
“It’s a fantastic day, not just for the result but for the manner in which it was achieved, particularly against a team of their calibre and the necessity of winning this match.”
“What pleases me most is the attitude. The incredible energy we generated in the stadium proves the players are capable of competing against anyone when they perform at this level.”
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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